Strength, grace and beauty

SPORTS TREND -Gymnastics interest growing by leaps and bounds in area

Posted By SHARON WEATHERALL

Posted 2 months ago

Did someone tell them to take a flying leap?

Midland area kids are rolling, tumbling, jumping and swinging these days because of gymnastics.

The Hurons Gymnastic Club is a not for profit, parent-run organization under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors and programmes offered by the club provide classes for participants from one year old to adult ranging from beginner to Provincial competitive standards.

According to Dianne Duquette - manager of the Hurons Gymnastic Club registration for fall programming was fantastic with a tally of 360 people taking part in total this year so far including 10 board members and 15 - 20 staff.

"The rest are summer camp, drop-ins and regular programming. This is an increase over other years and I think this is due to our wonderful coaches who are qualified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Our competitive program has gone up and we now have quite a few boys taking part. Again a lot of this has to do with good coaching. We have a lot of adults coaching this year and youth coaches helping out," said Duquette.

"The club runs with a parent Board of Directors with which we have had phenomenal success because many of them have a business background and they operate the club like a business. Registration is underway now for our winter session and we are looking for good numbers in this as well. "

The Hurons facility with its updated equipment, certified coaching staff and quality programmes help the club to achieve its goal of providing quality gymnastics to the people of North Simcoe.

Duquette says recreational gymnastics is popular for those looking for something different.

"Midland has a fantastic amount of programs in place for kids of all ages but for those who are more active, parents tend to steer them towards gymnastics. Our novice programme for kids between 6 -12 years of age is the biggest group and it is filled to capacity. There are eight programs with eight to nine participants in each that are working on different skills. They can earn badges from the different levels which make them feel like they are accomplishing something -the little ones are very enthusiastic," said Duquette.

"Gymnastics gives them a good sense of their body and what they can accomplish with it. We have every size and shape of child here and they all get to participate -they are so proud of themselves when they accomplish achievements."

Gymnastics is one of the best activities for contributing to the overall development of a child as it provides the foundation for participation and success in all other athletic activities. The goals of these gymnasts may vary, but the fun, fitness and fundamentals attained are never lost.

Duquette says Recreational Gymnastics is the non-competitive branch of gymnastics and plays a leading role in the development of an active lifestyle. Recreational Gymnastics is a sport for everyone -young and old. It allows each participant to explore various forms of movement in a fun and creative way.

The following programs are available:

Parent & Tot -children 1 to 3 years old; Tumblebugs -children 3 to 4 years old; Kindergym-children 4 to 6 years old; Advanced Kindergym -children 5 to 6 years old;

Tumbling for Beginner combines the dynamics of trampoline skills with the most exciting aspects of an Artistic Gymnastics floor exercise. Advanced Classes will be grouped according to age and ability; and this class is for the older more experienced tumbler.

Junior/Intermediate Girls for girls aged 6 -12 years old is an introduction to an advanced level of instruction on the various gymnastic apparatus leading to a better understanding of gymnastic skills and a higher level of physical fitness. Advanced Girls for girls aged 6 -12 years old is a more structure program teaching higher level elements and participants must have a coach recommendation.

Junior/Intermediate Boys for boys aged 6 -12 years old is a gymnastics program designed to emphasize strength, flexibility and coordination involving male gymnastic skills. Advanced Boys for boys aged 6 -12 years old is a structured program teaching more advanced skills on the men's apparatus and participants must have a coach recommendation.

New programs include Junior Co-ed for girls and boys aged 6 -9 years old, Open Gym and Family Gym. Junior Coed which is an introduction to an advanced level of instruction on the various gymnastic apparatus leading to a better understanding of gymnastic skills and a higher level of physical fitness. Open Gym (drop-in) for or male and female participants ages 14 or over in which athletes follow an unstructured program and advance within their individual goals and possibilities. Family Gym is designed for families to allow children accompanied by their parents to enjoy one hour of an unstructured format with coaches on hand to assist you. You must be a Hurons Gymnastic Club member to participate in Open and Family Gym.

Adult Gym (drop-in) is designed for adults 19 years or older to enjoy the gym in an unstructured format again with coaches on hand to guide you.

Competitive Programs consist of Gymini Crickets which is designed for 4 to 6 years who have shown an aptitude for gymnastics. The goal of the program is to encourage young athletes in a fun manner to develop the basic skills, discipline, strengths and flexibility required to become a competitive athlete. There are no competitions for this group.

The Ontario Development Program is designed for 5 to 9 year olds who have graduated from the Gymini Cricket Program and/or who are new to competitive gymnastics. The goals of this group are to develop in a fun manner the basic skills, strengths and flexibility required for gymnastics. Athletes compete in competitions based on their ability to perform different strength and flexibility skills (such as rope climbing, splits etc). Competitions are designed such that athletes are not ranked against each other but rather are rated on their individual abilities.

Athletes that are 5 or 6 years old in this group do not compete but rather participate in a showcase where they receive recognition for their participation but are not judged. Various apparatus skills are introduced (floor, beam, vault and bars) but there are no competitions based on these apparatuses. It is anticipated that there will be two competitions per year.

The Ontario Competitive Program is designed for 7+ year olds utilizing the strength, flexibility and skills gained in previous programs to compete on the four apparatus of the women's artistic gymnastics: beam, bars, floor and vault. It is anticipated that there are approximately three competitions per year.

Often athletes currently enrolled in our recreational programs develop an interest in competitive gymnastics but must qualify before entering.

Duquette says the highest level of competitive girls practice 16 hours per week.

"Most of them will be attending qualifiers and if they qualify they could end up representing Ontario. We have had athletes that made it on the provincial team but we have not had that calibre of athletes for a few years due to a lack of interest," said Duquette.

"There is a huge commitment financially and for the family for that level and it is not for everyone. Most of the girls here at this level have been here since they were three of four years old - Hurons Gymnastics has created a generation of athletes that have the skills and opportunity to do it."

For information about Hurons Gymnastic Club visit the website: www.hurons.ca, e-mail: info@hurons.ca or call (705) 527-1517 .